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The measurement of neonates
J K Wales1, S Carney, A T Gibson
1University Department of Paediatrics, Sheffield Children's Hospital, UK.
Hormone Research
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Accurate infant measurements are possible but rarely done, leading to errors in assessing growth. This study highlights the importance of proper anthropometry for both healthy and sick newborns, emphasizing length gain over just weight.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric anthropometry
- Growth monitoring
Background:
- Accurate anthropometric measurements in neonates are crucial but often neglected or performed incorrectly.
- Inadequate training and equipment lead to significant measurement errors in routine neonatal assessments.
- Sick neonates are frequently excluded from anthropometry, and growth is inaccurately equated solely with weight gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the possibility and importance of accurate anthropometric measurements in neonates.
- To address the common practice of inadequate or erroneous anthropometry in neonatal care.
- To highlight the limitations of focusing only on weight gain for assessing neonatal growth.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices in neonatal anthropometry.
- Analysis of factors contributing to measurement errors.
- Discussion of the impact of illness and treatments on neonatal growth parameters.
Main Results:
- Accurate anthropometry is feasible in both healthy and premature neonates.
- Routine anthropometry is frequently omitted or performed with substantial errors.
- Growth assessment in sick neonates often incorrectly focuses on weight gain, neglecting length and body proportions.
Conclusions:
- Standardized and accurate anthropometry should be routinely performed in all neonates.
- Proper training and equipment are essential for reliable neonatal measurements.
- A comprehensive assessment of neonatal growth requires monitoring length and body proportions, not just weight, especially in sick infants and survivors of intensive care.